X. The King had deem'd the maiden bright When o'er the Gillie's-hill she rode. The landscape like a furnace glow'd, And one below the hill was laid, Reserved for rescue and for aid; And three, advanced, form'd vaward-line, 'Twixt Bannock's brook and Ninian's shrine. Detach'd was each, yet each so nigh As well might mutual aid supply. Whose verge or rear the anxious eye Seem'd in the blue horizon lost. XI. Down from the hill the maiden pass'd, At the wild show of war aghast ; And traversed first the rearward host, Reserved for aid where needed most. The men of Carrick and of Ayr, Lennox and Lanark too, were there, And all the western land; With these the valiant of the Isles Beneath their chieftains rank'd their files, In many a plaided band. There, in the centre, proudly raised, The Bruce's royal standard blazed, And there Lord Ronald's banner bore A wild, yet pleasing contrast, made With the plumed bonnet and the plaid But O! unseen for three long years, Dear was the garb of mountaineers To the fair Maid of Lorn! For one she look'd-but he was far Busied amid the ranks of war- She mark'd his banner boldly fly, Gave on the countless foe a glance, And thought on battle's desperate chance. XII. To centre of the vaward line Fitz-Louis guided Amadine. Arm'd all on foot, that host appears A serried mass of glimmering spears. A band of archers fierce, though few; His men-at-arms bear mace and lance, And plumes that wave, and helms that glance. Thus fair divided by the King, Centre, and right, and left-ward wing, Composed his front; nor distant far Was strong reserve to aid the war. Her guide and Edith made their way. XIII. Here must they pause; for, in advance As far as one might pitch a lance, The Monarch rode along the van, The foe's approaching force to scan, His line to marshal and to range, And ranks to square, and fronts to change. Alone he rode-from head to heel Sheathed in his ready arms of steel; Nor mounted yet on war-horse wight, |